Native People and the Landnmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/poster_zuni.pdfGallup, New Mexico....
Transcript of Native People and the Landnmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/poster_zuni.pdfGallup, New Mexico....
odern-day waffle garden at Zuni Pueblo in
1873 photo showing a view of Zuni Pueblo fields and walled gardens in
Zuni New Mexico
Zuni Indian Pottery Dance Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Gallup New Mexico
Squash growing in a waffle garden Along with beans and corn squash is a staple of the American Indian diet
Chili peppers a flavorful cooking ingredient have been grown in Zuni
New Mexico for generations
Zuni Turkey clan dance Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Gallup New Mexico
MNew Mexico The National Museum of the
American Indian in Washington DC also includes a waffle garden in the croplands area
of the museum
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Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) is a mesa that is sacred to the Ashiwi (Zuni) people Located about three miles east of Zuni New Mexico it is visible to the Ashiwi people for miles and has been used for centuries to mark the path of the sun
NATIVE PEOPLE AND THE LANDNATIVE PEOPLE AND THE LANDTHE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLE
A STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUNDYou will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thou-
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have con-
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cot-
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet pota-
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and cul-
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledgeand skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 mil-lion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their cultur-al and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally pro-tect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural iden-tities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy ana-lysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once con-sidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their inno-vative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure quali-ty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
2
TEACHING POSTER
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLE A STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Grade levels 6ndash8 Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connecshy
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III) Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets National Geographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peoshy
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natushy
ral world and how this involves understanding the ecoshy
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ancesshy
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUNDYou will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thou-
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have con-
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cot-
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet pota-
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and cul-
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledgeand skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 mil-lion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their cultur-al and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally pro-tect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural iden-tities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy ana-lysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once con-sidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their inno-vative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure quali-ty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
1
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before displayshy
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and preshy
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environshy
ment Students will look for themes such as how traditionshy
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepenshy
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer Key Reproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes have better watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locations than just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 The summer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect the changing seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food that will be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage they see all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society not against it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beans nuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River on the Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River Navajo Reservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher elevashytion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase preshycipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7 Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easy water access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens can be built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mateshyrials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such as wells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintain gardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water different types of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible 6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and the growth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested and the Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so the Ashiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds are blessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
2
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture1 2
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledge and skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 milshylion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their culturshyal and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally proshytect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural idenshytities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy anashylysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once conshysidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their innoshyvative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure qualishyty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUND You will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thoushy
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have conshy
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cotshy
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet potashy
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and culshy
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
REPRODUCIBLE 3 REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyJi
m W
ood
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
REPRODUCIBLE 2
CONNECTION TO THE LAND Hayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practice among the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm out in the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] as children helping our parents create small gardens The prishymary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at the garden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind of produce that normally will not grow on a large scale These plants require more water and constant tending Waffle garshydens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences or other forms of protection are usually built around the garshydens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs or rodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet above sea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfall Whenever there is rain it needs to be captured which is why bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up around each plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds of spices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies and sometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plants are grown and harvested each season For example if corianshyder and other spices are planted early in a month or so when the first crop is harvested the growing season will allow another crop of spices to be grown and harvested Some people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melons and squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardens along the banks of the Zuni River People quit using this method because the water available from the river was reduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water system and renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices throughshyout the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solstices During the winter the clans honor the seeds Representative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with an offering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the corn and the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is used in the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwi people for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain the deities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared with special prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligious event held throughout the year Each household maintains a supply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the winshyter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cershyemonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessed and honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with them seeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such as corn and those used for sustenance are special because they have the spiritual and collective personal energy and power of our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they are symbolic of the ways we must live and they must be protected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen as people and are representative of us They are honored in prayer songs used during the summer rain dances and described in ways that strengthen the connections between spiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to themshyselves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma and other indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples they called their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanish word for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word used by the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are named for living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUNDYou will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thou-
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have con-
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cot-
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet pota-
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and cul-
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledgeand skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 mil-lion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their cultur-al and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally pro-tect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural iden-tities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy ana-lysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once con-sidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their inno-vative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure quali-ty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
2
TEACHING POSTER
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLE A STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Grade levels 6ndash8 Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connecshy
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III) Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets National Geographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peoshy
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natushy
ral world and how this involves understanding the ecoshy
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ancesshy
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUNDYou will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thou-
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have con-
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cot-
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet pota-
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and cul-
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledgeand skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 mil-lion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their cultur-al and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally pro-tect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural iden-tities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy ana-lysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once con-sidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their inno-vative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure quali-ty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
1
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before displayshy
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and preshy
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environshy
ment Students will look for themes such as how traditionshy
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepenshy
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer Key Reproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes have better watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locations than just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 The summer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect the changing seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food that will be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage they see all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society not against it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beans nuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River on the Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River Navajo Reservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher elevashytion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase preshycipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7 Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easy water access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens can be built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mateshyrials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such as wells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintain gardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water different types of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible 6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and the growth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested and the Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so the Ashiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds are blessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
2
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture1 2
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledge and skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 milshylion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their culturshyal and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally proshytect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural idenshytities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy anashylysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once conshysidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their innoshyvative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure qualishyty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUND You will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thoushy
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have conshy
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cotshy
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet potashy
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and culshy
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
REPRODUCIBLE 3 REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyJi
m W
ood
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
REPRODUCIBLE 2
CONNECTION TO THE LAND Hayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practice among the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm out in the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] as children helping our parents create small gardens The prishymary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at the garden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind of produce that normally will not grow on a large scale These plants require more water and constant tending Waffle garshydens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences or other forms of protection are usually built around the garshydens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs or rodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet above sea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfall Whenever there is rain it needs to be captured which is why bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up around each plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds of spices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies and sometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plants are grown and harvested each season For example if corianshyder and other spices are planted early in a month or so when the first crop is harvested the growing season will allow another crop of spices to be grown and harvested Some people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melons and squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardens along the banks of the Zuni River People quit using this method because the water available from the river was reduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water system and renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices throughshyout the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solstices During the winter the clans honor the seeds Representative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with an offering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the corn and the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is used in the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwi people for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain the deities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared with special prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligious event held throughout the year Each household maintains a supply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the winshyter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cershyemonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessed and honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with them seeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such as corn and those used for sustenance are special because they have the spiritual and collective personal energy and power of our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they are symbolic of the ways we must live and they must be protected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen as people and are representative of us They are honored in prayer songs used during the summer rain dances and described in ways that strengthen the connections between spiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to themshyselves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma and other indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples they called their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanish word for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word used by the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are named for living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUNDYou will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thou-
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have con-
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cot-
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet pota-
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and cul-
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledgeand skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 mil-lion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their cultur-al and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally pro-tect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural iden-tities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy ana-lysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once con-sidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their inno-vative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure quali-ty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
1
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before displayshy
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and preshy
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environshy
ment Students will look for themes such as how traditionshy
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepenshy
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer Key Reproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes have better watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locations than just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 The summer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect the changing seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food that will be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage they see all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society not against it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beans nuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River on the Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River Navajo Reservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher elevashytion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase preshycipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7 Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easy water access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens can be built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mateshyrials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such as wells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintain gardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water different types of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible 6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and the growth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested and the Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so the Ashiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds are blessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
2
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture1 2
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledge and skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 milshylion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their culturshyal and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally proshytect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural idenshytities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy anashylysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once conshysidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their innoshyvative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure qualishyty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUND You will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thoushy
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have conshy
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cotshy
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet potashy
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and culshy
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
REPRODUCIBLE 3 REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyJi
m W
ood
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
REPRODUCIBLE 2
CONNECTION TO THE LAND Hayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practice among the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm out in the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] as children helping our parents create small gardens The prishymary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at the garden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind of produce that normally will not grow on a large scale These plants require more water and constant tending Waffle garshydens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences or other forms of protection are usually built around the garshydens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs or rodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet above sea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfall Whenever there is rain it needs to be captured which is why bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up around each plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds of spices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies and sometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plants are grown and harvested each season For example if corianshyder and other spices are planted early in a month or so when the first crop is harvested the growing season will allow another crop of spices to be grown and harvested Some people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melons and squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardens along the banks of the Zuni River People quit using this method because the water available from the river was reduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water system and renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices throughshyout the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solstices During the winter the clans honor the seeds Representative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with an offering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the corn and the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is used in the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwi people for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain the deities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared with special prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligious event held throughout the year Each household maintains a supply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the winshyter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cershyemonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessed and honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with them seeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such as corn and those used for sustenance are special because they have the spiritual and collective personal energy and power of our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they are symbolic of the ways we must live and they must be protected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen as people and are representative of us They are honored in prayer songs used during the summer rain dances and described in ways that strengthen the connections between spiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to themshyselves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma and other indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples they called their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanish word for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word used by the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are named for living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
PREPARATION
Make photocopies of all pages of the poster before display-
ing poster Read the Background section on page 1 and pre-
pare to summarize for students Display the poster in the
classroom where students can view it easily
PROCEDURE
1 Explain to students that they are going to examine how
Native peoples adapt to their environment They will focus
on the Ashiwi (Zuni) people whose tribal lands are located
in the American Southwest Next give students ample time
to look at the poster and the central image of Corn
Mountain as well as its caption Have them look for clues
in the photo about the environment and how people living
there might adapt to it Model this by describing what you
see in the photo and posing a question Point out any clues
in the text or captions Have students record their first
impressions and then discuss as a group Encourage questions
about the poster such as ldquoWhere is this locatedrdquo and ldquoWhat
does the picture tell us about the climate The environmentrdquo
Discuss possible answers to the questions
Next have students examine the smaller photos on the
poster What do they notice about the design of the waffle
gardens Discuss possible reasons for the design Use the
images of chilies and squash to begin a discussion about
how Native people work with their environment and use its
gifts to help their culture thrive
2 Distribute a photocopy of Reproducible 1 Have students
read about Native people and their relationship to nature
Provide additional information from the Background section
on page 1 Explain to students that they will work in small
groups and use text charts and photographs to learn more
3 Explain to students that they will learn about the Ashiwi
people and their reciprocal relationship to their environ-
ment Students will look for themes such as how tradition-
al values and agricultural values are linked some of the
contributions that Native people have made in terms of
food products and crops and Native peoplersquos adaptation to
their environment While working in groups to examine and
discuss the materials each student will be responsible for
answering any related questions
4 Make one copy of each reproducible for each student
bull Reproducible 2mdashConnection to the Land
bull Reproducible 3mdashExploratory Questions
bull Reproducible 4mdashAshiwi Geography and Environment
bull Reproducible 5mdashIn Balance with Nature
bull Reproducible 6mdashAshiwi Cycle of Life
bull Reproducible 7mdashIndependent Research Project
5 Once students have worked their way through
Reproducibles 1ndash6 begin Reproducible 7 Explain that they
will need to complete this research template indepen-
dently as they explore another Native tribe or group for a
presentation or research paper
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1 Choose representatives from each group to discuss
what they have learned about Native Americans and the
Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with nature Record studentsrsquo
questions about what they learned and summarize
responses to reproducible questions
2 At the end of the discussion have students reflect on
their own relationship with their environment What part
if any does nature play in their daily lives How might
they include nature more
Answer KeyReproducible 3 Answers may include 1 Preservation of culture the tribes havebetter watering systems 2 Gardens can be planted in more varied locationsthan just along the Zuni River different types of foods can be grown 3 Thesummer solstice and the winter solsticemdashthe cycles of the sun that reflect thechanging seasons of the year answers will vary 4 Seeds represent the food thatwill be grown for future generations 5 Climate is used to their advantage theysee all aspects of society as interconnected and work with this society notagainst it they use foods and products to maximum efficiency 6 Squash beansnuts wild fruit Reproducible 4 1 The western area along the Zuni River onthe Arizona border 2 Rio Grande River Pecos River San Juan River NavajoReservoir 3 The semi-arid climate features sporadic rainfall 4 A higher eleva-tion reduces temperature (and depending on the geography may increase pre-cipitation) 5 About 124 inches 6 This region must be very hot and dry 7Almost a third (about 32) 8 Answers will vary Reproducible 5 Answers may
include 1 In the past waffle gardens were located along the Zuni River for easywater access fences were built of sticks and branches Modern-day gardens canbe built away from the river near modern water sources modern fencing mate-rials such as chicken wire can be used 2 Modern-day watering systems such aswells and community water systems would make it easier for people to maintaingardens in locations away from the river with easier access to water differenttypes of crops could be grown watering gardens would be easier Reproducible6 Answers may include Summer Ceremonies are held to ask for rain and thegrowth of crops Rains nurture plants so they grow Fall Plants are harvested andthe Ashiwi people give thanks to the plants for giving up their lives so theAshiwi people may live Seeds are preserved and prepared Winter Seeds areblessed and the peoplersquos and plantsrsquo ancestors are honored in ceremony
THE ASHIWI (ZUNI) PEOPLEA STUDY IN ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
TEACHING POSTER
Grade levels 6ndash8Time required Three class periods
OVERVIEW
By focusing on the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people of the
American Southwest students will learn about the connec-
tion Native people have to their natural world Students will
make observations about how the Ashiwi (also known as
Zuni) people adapt to their environment and the cyclical
aspect of their cultural and agricultural practices Students
will expand their knowledge through independent research
on another Native community and their interactions with
the natural world
CURRICULUM STANDARDS FORSOCIAL STUDIES
Culture (I) Time Continuity and Change (II) People
Places and Environment (III)Source National Council for the Social Studies Material also meets NationalGeographic Standards Geography Education Standards Project
OBJECTIVES
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people adapt to their environment
bull Understand how the Ashiwi people and other Native peo-
ple used observation and experimentation over centuries
to develop science-based agricultural practices
bull Understand the reciprocal relationship between the
Ashiwi people (and other Native people) and the natu-
ral world and how this involves understanding the eco-
system and sustainable environment
bull Understand how Ashiwi waffle gardening reflects the
traditional values of their culture
BACKGROUND
Native people understand the relationship between nature
and themselves in a distinct way Among the worldrsquos first
environmentalists American Indians have maintained the
same special connection to the natural world for thousands
of years viewing themselves as equal with all life
For example a story of the Dineacute (Navajo) people of Arizona
Utah and New Mexico tells of how the First Man and the
First Woman were produced from two ears of corn At the
core of this connection is the knowledge that all
life deserves great respect and that by respecting and
conserving the earthrsquos resources all things will continue for
generations to come
Native people understand that life occurs in cycles and
that the seasons of the earth govern all living things
Humans animals plants trees rocks spirits and weather
patterns are all related and considered part of one society A
balanced environment is maintained when one knows onersquos
place within nature and takes only what one needs This is
accomplished by meeting every taskmdashlarge or smallmdashwith
honor and appreciation Throughout the year many Native
people gather for ceremonies to mark each season (or cycle)
and to give thanks for what the earth has provided
Both the environment and climate greatly influence the
lives of Native people By closely observing nature they have
adapted their hunting gathering and farming skills to the
lands they occupy Long before contact with Europeans
American Indians practiced specialized agricultural techniques
such as natural selection selective breeding and crop rotation
The Hidatsa people from the plains bordering the
Mississippi River developed farming technologies to deal
with excessive moisture in their soil The Ashiwi people of
New Mexico have thrived in a semi-arid environment for
thousands of years by finding ways to grow crops with very
little water Indeed the Ashiwi people have observed their
environment for many generations and developed strategies
to grow food successfully They developed a dry-farming
method called Latdekwiwe or waffle gardening which
takes maximum advantage of what little precipitation the
land receives
Today the Ashiwi people continue to live on their ances-
tral lands along the Zuni River in Western New Mexico near
the Arizona border within the presence of their sacred
mesa Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain) The Ashiwi people
use Dowa Yalanne located about three miles east of Zuni
to mark the path of the sun and determine the time for the
solstice and harvest ceremonies that are part of their
traditional culture1 2
RESPECTING THE EARTHThroughout the US Native people apply their knowledge and skills to the lands on which they live
bull The Mamacqtaw (Menominee) Nation of Wisconsininitiated a sustainable forestry program 140 years agothat is an example of natural forest management at itsbest They recognized that their future depended ontheir forests and during the years the forestry programhas been in use there has been an increase of 500 milshylion board feet in standing timber volume In total theforest has sustained a harvest of more than 225 billionboard feet
bull The Seminole Nation lives in South Florida near theEverglades a 100-mile subtropic preserve and their culturshyal and religious activities depend on a healthy marshlandecosystem In 1987 the Seminole Tribal Council formed aWater Management Resource Department to legally proshytect the quality of the tribersquos land and water resourcesToday the tribe has the same authority as the state ofFlorida to set water quality standards for tribal lands
bull Four Columbia River Treaty Tribes in Oregon (NezPerce Umatilla Warm Springs and Yakama) becameconcerned about the future of the riverrsquos salmonmdashanessential part of their peoplersquos spiritual and cultural idenshytities for thousands of years Together in 1977 theyformed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commissionwhich now employs biologists scientists and policy anashylysts who work in fisheries research advocacy harvestcontrol and law enforcement They also developed theSpirit of the Salmon Restoration Plan to halt the declineof salmon lamprey and sturgeon populations above theColumbia Riverrsquos Bonneville Dam
bull The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians live in anarea of the southern California desert that was once conshysidered uninhabitable by outsiders yet their complexcommunities thrived in the canyons Through their innoshyvative dam construction and irrigation systems theymade the land very productive with crops for food andmedicines and plants for basket-making materialsToday their unique authority over their 52000-acrereservation enables them to maintain and ensure qualishyty water use on their own lands and the neighboringPalm Springs community
REPRODUCIBLE 1
NATIVE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUND You will learn about the Ashiwi (Ahh-SHE-we) people one of 562 federally recognized US tribes The Ashiwi people have farmed the Zuni
River Valley region in New Mexico and Arizona for thousands of years and although their environment has often been challenging they
have been able to grow foods successfully You will explore the Ashiwi peoplersquos relationship with their environment and learn how they
like many Native people have combined technology developed over thousands of years with modern methods to thrive in a complicated
climate and landscape
Native people lived in the Western Hemisphere for thoushy
sands of years before European contact In North America
alone there were more than 500 diverse Native nations who
shared a vast land full of natural resources To them the
earth was a rich source of food shelter and clothing
They cared for the land because it provided them with all
they needed to survive American Indians today continue to
see the same special connection that exists between people
and the natural worldmdashviewing themselves as part of the
environment equal with all life
Native peoplersquos ability to adapt to their surroundings has
resulted in success that has affected the rest of the world
Native farmers have cultivated more than 300 food crops
with many variations In total Native people have conshy
tributed 60 percent of the crops in global cultivation
Over the centuries Native farmers experimented with the
types of crops growing on their lands giving the world cotshy
ton tobacco maize (corn) potatoes tomatoes sweet potashy
toes pumpkins and maple syrup among others In the
Americas they developed more than 250 varieties of corn
selecting the strongest seeds that would grow successfully in
the most radical weather conditions Through time and culshy
tivation techniques cob length and plant size have
increased vastly improving crop yields Many Native
Americans including the Iroquois people planted corn
beans and squash together in a high-yield agricultural
method known as companion planting The three plants
known as ldquoThe Three Sistersrdquo are still grown together and
honored today American Indians used corn to develop
many types of food and no parts of the corn plant were
wasted As a result of these agricultural gifts the economies
of many nations now depend on crops first introduced by
Native people
Another important contribution of American Indians is the
development of medicines from roots plants and trees In
fact modern pharmacology (the science of drugs) began with
the introduction in Europe of the medicine quininendasha Native
American curendashfor treating the then-deadly illness malaria
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
REPRODUCIBLE 3 REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyJi
m W
ood
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
REPRODUCIBLE 2
CONNECTION TO THE LAND Hayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practice among the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm out in the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] as children helping our parents create small gardens The prishymary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at the garden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind of produce that normally will not grow on a large scale These plants require more water and constant tending Waffle garshydens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences or other forms of protection are usually built around the garshydens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs or rodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet above sea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfall Whenever there is rain it needs to be captured which is why bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up around each plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds of spices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies and sometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plants are grown and harvested each season For example if corianshyder and other spices are planted early in a month or so when the first crop is harvested the growing season will allow another crop of spices to be grown and harvested Some people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melons and squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardens along the banks of the Zuni River People quit using this method because the water available from the river was reduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water system and renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices throughshyout the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solstices During the winter the clans honor the seeds Representative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with an offering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the corn and the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is used in the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwi people for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain the deities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared with special prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligious event held throughout the year Each household maintains a supply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the winshyter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cershyemonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessed and honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with them seeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such as corn and those used for sustenance are special because they have the spiritual and collective personal energy and power of our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they are symbolic of the ways we must live and they must be protected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen as people and are representative of us They are honored in prayer songs used during the summer rain dances and described in ways that strengthen the connections between spiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to themshyselves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma and other indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples they called their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanish word for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word used by the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are named for living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
REPRODUCIBLE 3 REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyJi
m W
ood
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
REPRODUCIBLE 2
CONNECTION TO THE LAND Hayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practice among the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm out in the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] as children helping our parents create small gardens The prishymary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at the garden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind of produce that normally will not grow on a large scale These plants require more water and constant tending Waffle garshydens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences or other forms of protection are usually built around the garshydens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs or rodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet above sea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfall Whenever there is rain it needs to be captured which is why bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up around each plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds of spices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies and sometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plants are grown and harvested each season For example if corianshyder and other spices are planted early in a month or so when the first crop is harvested the growing season will allow another crop of spices to be grown and harvested Some people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melons and squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardens along the banks of the Zuni River People quit using this method because the water available from the river was reduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water system and renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices throughshyout the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solstices During the winter the clans honor the seeds Representative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with an offering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the corn and the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is used in the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwi people for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain the deities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared with special prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligious event held throughout the year Each household maintains a supply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the winshyter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cershyemonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessed and honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with them seeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such as corn and those used for sustenance are special because they have the spiritual and collective personal energy and power of our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they are symbolic of the ways we must live and they must be protected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen as people and are representative of us They are honored in prayer songs used during the summer rain dances and described in ways that strengthen the connections between spiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to themshyselves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma and other indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples they called their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanish word for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word used by the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are named for living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seemwithin close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell youabout the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation totalare the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource thatshows rainfall for different parts of the United StatesCompare two cities in different parts of the country suchas Washington State and Iowa How might similarities anddifferences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in thetwo regions
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 4
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTThe Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by exam-
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
00
05
10
15
20
25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Months
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans)
SanFelipePueblo
54
70
CornMountain
Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
HeronHeronLakeLake
NavajoNavajoReservoirReservoir
BluewaterBluewaterLakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004Source Western Regional Climate Center
Map of New Mexico Average Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
copyH
ayes
Lew
is
copyJi
m W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 3
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS Based on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was used more extensively years ago but it is being revived today What do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modern than they were hundreds of years ago How do you think this might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major relishygious ceremonial events occur Why do you think these are the most important At what other times of the year do you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds they use to grow their food Why How does that compare with how you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people have used their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land on which they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated by American Indians are now grown internationally Besides corn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what other agricultural contributions have Native people shared with the world
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
1 Hayes Lewis observes that waffle gardening was usedmore extensively years ago but it is being revived todayWhat do you think is the reason for this change
2 The Ashiwi peoplersquos irrigation systems are more modernthan they were hundreds of years ago How do you thinkthis might affect their farming methods
3 Name two important days of the year when major reli-gious ceremonial events occur Why do you think theseare the most important At what other times of the yeardo you think ceremonies might occur and why
4 The Ashiwi people are very respectful of the seeds theyuse to grow their food Why How does that compare withhow you think and feel about the foods you eat
5 Give three examples of ways that Native people haveused their knowledge and skills to adapt to the land onwhich they live
6 More than forty plants that were first cultivated byAmerican Indians are now grown internationally Besidescorn and the plants listed in Reproducible 1 what otheragricultural contributions have Native people shared withthe world
EXPLORATORY QUESTIONSBased on what you have already read about the Ashiwi people and other Native people and their relationship to the environment answer
the questions below Write on the back of this page if you need more space
ldquoAgriculture has been an important and constant practiceamong the Ashiwi people for centuries We either farm outin the fields or create gardens Many started [to farm] aschildren helping our parents create small gardens The pri-mary method we use is a waffle garden If one looks at thegarden from an elevated view its layout resembles a waffle
ldquoThe purpose of the waffle garden is to provide the kind ofproduce that normally will not grow on a large scale Theseplants require more water and constant tending Waffle gar-dens are fairly small and they are usually enclosed Fences orother forms of protection are usually built around the gar-dens to protect the plants from rabbits prairie dogs orrodents The fence also provides protection from the wind
ldquoThe elevation at Zuni is approximately 6800 feet abovesea level Since it is semi-arid there is not much rainfallWhenever there is rain it needs to be captured which iswhy bermsmdashraised mounds of earthmdashare built up aroundeach plant
ldquoWaffle gardens are specific to families Different kinds ofspices such as coriander green onions garlic chilies andsometimes tomatoes are grown Several crops of such plantsare grown and harvested each season For example if corian-der and other spices are planted early in a month or sowhen the first crop is harvested the growing season willallow another crop of spices to be grown and harvestedSome people plant corn in waffle gardens but corn melonsand squash are better suited to be grown in the fields
ldquoWhen we were growing up we saw many waffle gardensalong the banks of the Zuni River People quit using thismethod because the water available from the river wasreduced by the Black Rock Dam Currently there is a revival
in gardeningmdashprimarily due to the improved water systemand renewed interest
ldquoSeeds are significant in all our cultural practices through-out the year Two of the most important religiouscultural ceremonies occur during the summer and winter solsticesDuring the winter the clans honor the seedsRepresentative samplings of seeds are taken to family gatherings and honored along with our ancestors with anoffering of sacred cornmeal songs and prayer
ldquoThere is a direct reciprocal connection between the cornand the spiritual practice of the Ashiwi people Corn is usedin the preparation of the sacred cornmeal used by the Ashiwipeople for daily prayer and as spiritual offerings to sustain thedeities and ancestors The corn is ground and prepared withspecial prayers for daily use and for each ceremonialreligiousevent held throughout the year Each household maintains asupply of sacred cornmeal for such purposes During the win-ter Sharsquolako Ceremony solstice fasting period and other cer-emonies held during the winter period the seeds are blessedand honored as part of these ceremonies
ldquoDuring our ancestorsrsquo search for the Middle Place [a physical and symbolic center] they brought with themseeds to sustain life and spiritual practice Seeds such ascorn and those used for sustenance are special because theyhave the spiritual and collective personal energy and powerof our people Seeds are symbolic of the life cycle they aresymbolic of the ways we must live and they must beprotected and cared for
ldquoPlants (especially corn) used to sustain life are seen aspeople and are representative of us They are honored inprayer songs used during the summer rain dances anddescribed in ways that strengthen the connections betweenspiritual practice beliefs and liferdquo
CONNECTION TO THE LANDHayes Lewis of the Ashiwi Nation lives just 20 miles from the Arizona border in Zuni New Mexico Here he shares his knowledge
about the spiritual connection among the land his people and the crops that sustain their lives
REPRODUCIBLE 2 REPRODUCIBLE 3
Modern-day waffle garden Upper Nutria village Zuni Pueblo
MORE ABOUT THE ASHIWI PEOPLE
bull ldquoAshiwirdquo is the term the Zuni people use to refer to them-selves or the tribe ldquoAshiwirdquo means ldquothe peoplerdquo in their language Ashiwi neighbors include the Hopi Akoma andother indigenous inhabitants of the area In the 1500s whenthe Spanish first encountered these indigenous peoples theycalled their adobe and stonework towns pueblos the Spanishword for ldquotownrdquo The name ldquoZunirdquo comes from a word usedby the Akoma people to refer to the Ashiwi people
bull The Ashiwi people and society comprise fourteen matrilineal-extended family clans The clans are namedfor living things (eg Corn Sun and Bear clans) copy
Hay
es L
ewis
MINI ESSAY Which two Native food plants have had the greatest global impact and why Research and write a one-page essay
supporting your answer
25
erage Total Precipitation Zuni New Mexico
20
15
10
05
00 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
San Felipe Pueblo
Corn Mountain
HeronHeron LakeLake
NavajoNavajo Reser oirReser
54
70Gila River
San Juan River
Canadian River
vvoir
BluewaterBluewater LakeLake
Peco
sRi
ver
Rio
Gran
deRi
ver
copy J
im W
ood
REPRODUCIBLE 4
ASHIWI GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT The Ashiwi people live in Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico and includes the 90-mile-long Zuni River The
pueblo is a semi-arid high plateau area with an elevation between 6000 and 7000 feet Rainfall can be erratic from year to year and
the flow of the Zuni River (not pictured on the map below) can be quite limited during dry months Answer the questions below by examshy
ining the map and the precipitation bar graph below and referring to an atlas or other geographic resources as necessary Write on the
back of this page if you need more space
Map of New Mexico Av
Months
Geography
1 Where in New Mexico is the Zuni Pueblo located
2 Other than the Zuni River what bodies of water seem within close proximity to the reservation
3 What are the characteristics of a semi-arid climate
4 What are the effects of elevation on climate
Prec
ipit
atio
n (
in In
ches
)
Snowfall (converted to Precipitation) ndash inches
Average Total Precipitation ndash inches
Period of Record 2171949 to 3312004 Source Western Regional Climate Center
Environment
5 Estimate the total precipitation for the year
6 What does the estimated total precipitation tell you about the regionrsquos climate
7 What percentage of the yearly average precipitation total are the combined totals for July and August
8 Consult an atlas or other geographical resource that shows rainfall for different parts of the United States Compare two cities in different parts of the country such as Washington State and Iowa How might similarities and differences in rainfall reflect on agricultural practices in the two regions
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
REPRODUCIBLE 6 REPRODUCIBLE 7
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
REPRODUCIBLE 5
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain moisshy
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if necshy
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a relashy
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the harshy
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past and a modern-day waffle garden What similarities do you see What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their watershying methods How may it affect the planting of crops
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copy D
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Lib
rary
of
Con
gres
sE
dwar
d S
Cur
tis C
olle
ctio
n r
ight
col
umn
top
to
botto
m copy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
L N
usba
um copy
Hay
es L
ewis
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C TBroaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forestwetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges oftheir natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do theydepend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebra-tions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and theirenvironment
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 7
RESOURCESHere are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indianwwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos NationalMuseum of the American Indian which opened in September2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ringwwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian CircleWeb Ring serves to connect all federally recognized AmericanIndian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes tolink to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around theWorldwwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging informationon Native cultures plus links to Native news and currentevents resources books and music community and services
Native American Siteswwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this sitefeatures information on and links to individual Nativenations and their websites A separate listing for Nativelanguages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi AwanMuseum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblohttpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created bythe Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help thechildren of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni websitehttpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directlyfrom the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to thePueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is fullof great photos and information
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 6
ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFE To American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your undershystanding of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that correshysponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shown by your completed diagram
WINTER Rest
RebirthHarvest FALL SPRING
WINTER CEREMONIES
SUMMER CEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
SUMMER Growth
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information
ASHIWI WAFFLE GARDENING
Waffle gardening is a traditional Ashiwi dry-farming
method that makes optimal use of the limited water
resources in the Ashiwi peoplersquos semi-arid environment
Surrounding each section of the garden are raised borders
of soil (known as berms)
that trap and retain mois-
ture From above the
plots look like waffles
hence the term ldquowaffle
gardenrdquo Waffle gardens are fairly compact (measuring
about 25 by 40 feet) and can be watered by hand if nec-
essary Traditionally these gardens were grown on the
banks of the Zuni River and provided food for a
single or extended family Large-scale crops were grown in
fields Waffle gardening experienced a decline in the late
twentieth century but is making a comeback due to new
water distribution methods
ASHIWI BELIEF SYSTEM AND FARMING
The Ashiwi people as well as other Native people of the
Western Hemisphere consider all parts of the universe to
be connected Everything is part of the cycle of life a circle
that includes birth growth death and rebirth The earthrsquos
gifts are to be used by all things (people animals plants
etc) to sustain life The Ashiwi belief system fosters a rela-
tionship between the people and their environment and
they strive to achieve balance with nature through various
ceremonies and celebrations held throughout the year
Many Native societies believe that each plant just like a
person carries a generation of life Just as we are the
descendants of our ancestors todayrsquos plants and seeds are
the descendants of theirs The Ashiwi cycle of planting
and harvesting represents the reciprocal life cycle of both
the Ashiwi people and the plants that sustain them The
annual cycle of the Ashiwi peoplersquos spiritual practice is
connected to the life cycle of all plants In the winter the
Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to bless the seeds and
honor their own ancestors as well as the ancestors of the
seeds In the spring they plant the seeds with prayer and
songs to nourish and strengthen the new life During the
summer solstice and afterward the Ashiwi people hold a
number of ceremonies that are associated with the need for
the summer rainy season to begin and continuemdashwithout
water the plants and people cannot survive After the har-
vest the Ashiwi people give thanks to the seeds and plants
for their life-sustaining foodThus by combining their age-
old traditions with modern materials and technology the
Ashiwi people continue to survive the challenges of their
unique environment
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper
1 Look at the photos of waffle gardens from the past anda modern-day waffle garden What similarities do yousee What differences might there be
2 How might the Ashiwi people have adapted their water-ing methods How may it affect the planting of crops
IN BA L A N C E W I T H NAT U R E ASHIWI CYCLE OF LIFETo American Indians life occurs in cycles and the seasons of the earth govern all living things Ceremonies are held throughout the year
to mark each season (or cycle) of the earth and to give thanks for what the earth has provided For the Ashiwi people agriculture and
ceremony are intertwined in an annual cycle of life The Ashiwi people care for the seeds and plants as they would their own children
nurturing them and holding ceremonies to bring them the water they need for life In turn the plants grow tall and strong they are
harvested and consumed and life continues for the Ashiwi people New seeds are preserved and honored for next yearrsquos planting
This relationship is described as reciprocal in that there is an exchange or interaction between each side that affects the other This
reciprocal cycle repeats year after year generation after generation
Modern-day waffle garden in Upper Nutria Village Zuni Pueblo showing a
pump for water
1926 photo of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico showing waffle gardens along
the Zuni River
REPRODUCIBLE 5 REPRODUCIBLE 6
Rest
Growth
RebirthHarvest
WINTER
FALL SPRING
SUMMER
WINTERCEREMONIES
SUMMERCEREMONIES
The earth is prepared and seeds are planted The Ashiwi people hold ceremonies to pray for new life
SEEDS
CRITICAL-THINKING ACTIVITIES
1 Using the information on this sheet as well as on previous reproducibles complete the diagram below to show your under-standing of the Ashiwi peoplersquos cycle of life In the outer circle fill in the agricultural and ceremonial information that corre-sponds to the time of the year or season The first one has been done for you Use another sheet of paper if necessary
2 In your own words explain the reciprocal relationship between the Ashiwi people and their environment as it is shownby your completed diagram
Ashiwi people tending their waffle
garden in Zuni Pueblo New Mexico
more than 75 years ago
Pho
tos
left
colu
mn
left
to r
ight
copyD
enve
r P
ublic
Lib
rary
Wes
tern
His
tory
Col
lect
ion
phot
o by
Jes
se L
Nus
baum
copy
Libr
ary
of C
ongr
ess
Edw
ard
SC
urtis
Col
lect
ion
right
col
umn
top
to
botto
mcopy
Den
ver
Pub
lic L
ibra
ryW
este
rn H
isto
ryC
olle
ctio
nph
oto
by J
esse
LN
usba
umcopy
Hay
es L
ewis
REPRODUCIBLE 7
IN D E P E N D E N T RE S E A RC H PRO J E C T Broaden your understanding of the relationship between Native people and their natural environment by researching another American
Indian tribe or group and answering the questions below When you are finished create a ldquocycle of liferdquo diagram (see Reproducible 6)
using the information obtained from your research Use extra pages if you need to Check out the box below for some useful websites
What is the name of the Native tribe or group
What is their Native language
Where do they live
In what type of natural environment do they live (forest wetland desert meadow etc)
What is the climate like
What do they believe are the benefits and challenges of their natural environment
In what ways have they adapted to the environment
What type of sustaining crops products and food do they depend on
What types of traditions cultural ceremonies and celebrashytions do they have that relate to their cycle of life and their environment
RESOURCES Here are some websites to visit for your research
National Museum of the American Indian wwwnmaisiedu
Learn more about the Smithsonian Institutionrsquos National Museum of the American Indian which opened in September 2004 Click on ldquoExhibitionsrdquo to view fascinating online exhibitions
Indian Circle Web Ring wwwindiancirclecom
Maintained by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the Indian Circle Web Ring serves to connect all federally recognized American Indian Tribes Click on Federally Recognized Indian Tribes to link to a list of tribal home pages of US Native peoples
NativeWeb Resources for Indigenous Cultures Around the World wwwnativeweborg
This comprehensive site contains wide-ranging information on Native cultures plus links to Native news and current events resources books and music community and services
Native American Sites wwwnativeculturecomlisamittenindianshtml
Recommended by the American Library Association this site features information on and links to individual Native nations and their websites A separate listing for Native languages includes an extensive list of more than 100 Native-language websites
The Zuni Waffle Garden A project by Ashiwi Awan Museum for and by the children of Zuni Pueblo httpzunispiritscomwafflegardenhtml
View photographs and read about a waffle garden created by the Ashiwi Awan Museum in Zuni New Mexico to help the children of Zuni understand the ways of their ancestors
Pueblo of Zuni website httpwwwashiwiorg
Learn about Ashiwi history culture and language directly from the Ashiwi people themselves This site links to the Pueblo of Zunirsquos Department of Tourism website which is full of great photos and information